Hi all.
I have a Q. re a proposed car audio install I'm in the middle of. I bought a set of ribbon tweeters some months ago to complete my revamping of the sound system in my car. I am encountering some distortion on test use, not in the tweeters but in the parent speaker I am piggy backing them off (ie. I am wiring the tweeters in parallel with the door speaker, as the car manufacturers service manual electrical digram specifies for the upmarket model of my car, which had satellite tweeters).

Characteristics of the distortion are as follows:

1. Only in parent speaker, not tweeter.
2. Seems load related- sounds like clipping on musical peaks like drumbeats, bass notes at lower volumes, distortion worsens with volume and becomes more constant.
3. Occurs when crossover in place and correctly oriented. When crossover reversed, no distortion heard but tweeter non functional.
4. When crossover excluded from circuit, no distortion occurs and tweeter functions normally.

Here is the link to the current version of the kit I bought.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?URL=index&ID=CS2339&CATID=15&SUBCATID=459

I have the same as these tweeters, branded "Response Precision CS 2339 ribbon tweeter", but the crossovers supplied with my kit differ. They are a small mystery circuit enclosed in black shrink wrap with sheilded wires at each end. 2 of, one per tweeter obviously. All made in China, of course. No Ohmage quoted on the box but on my multi meter they show 3.5 Ohms, and most car audio including my cars sound system is 4 Ohms. Specs quoted on the box are a freq. response of 3kHz - 40 kHz, and crossover slope of 12dB/octave. No expanded spec sheet inside (or instructions FWIW).

The car head unit is a Kenwood KDC - MP5039U of ~ 22 watts RMS per corner, ~50W peak per corner.

I am contemplating installing the tweeters without the crossover per 4. above. I realise it's a risk but am guessing the worst that can happen is popping the ribbons. I don't routinely listen at deafening volumes, or to very dynamic "doof doof" music, too old.

Does this august company have any advice/comments?

Cheers, John